Kart with movable visual effect

ABSTRACT

A ridable kart having a front portion rotatably coupled to a rear portion. The front portion includes an inner surface that is adjacent to an outer cover portion and the two surfaces move relative to one another. The outer cover portion includes window portions or openings through which a portion of the inner surface is visible. The inner surface includes a visual feature that is visible through the window portions and the visual features moves relative to the window portions when the front portion rotates relative to the rear portion.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ridable vehicles and,more specifically, to a ridable kart with a movable visual effect.

Description of the Related Art

Riding on vehicles such as go karts or toy karts is a popularrecreational activity. Karts have become popular among many age groupsand there are many different kart variations and designs. Conventionalkarts generally have at least three wheels and some type of steeringmechanism. Other kart designs include four or more wheels. Kart designshave also become more compact and convenient. With the increase in kartpopularity, there has also been a significant increase in the demand forkarts of varying sizes. There has also been an increase in the demandfor karts with visual features and accessories that personalize thekart.

Often, it is desirable for a smaller rider to ride a kart without theuse of a motor or power unit. However, some karts without motors requirea rider to use his or her feet to push on the riding surface and propelthe kart. Also, it is desirable that some karts have a visual element ordesign, especially those karts intended for use by children. Such kartsmight include a movable visual element that a rider must directly movewith his or her feet or hands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of one or more embodiments involves the realization that it isdesirable to allow a smaller rider to ride on a kart and move the kartwithout the use of a motor or the rider pushing off the riding surface.Another aspect of one or more embodiments is that it is desirable tohave a movable visual effect on a kart that does not require a rider touse his or her hands or feet to directly move the movable visualfeature. Therefore, the current arrangements in the prior art forridable vehicles or karts are unsuitable or could be improved or mademore desirable.

Preferred embodiments of a kart have a first portion and a secondportion that are movable relative to one another. One of the firstportion and the second portion have a visual feature that is movablealong with one of the first portion and the second portion and isexternally visible in at least some relative positions of the firstportion and the second portion. In some configurations, movement of thefirst portion relative to the second portion is directed by the user ofthe kart and can be or include steering movement of the kart. In someconfigurations, the visual feature is carried by an inner portion of thekart and is visible through windows or openings in an outer portion ofthe kart.

Some embodiments of the present kart are configured to provide a movingvisual effect as a user rides on the kart. A user can ride on the kartand steer the kart while at the same time producing the desired visualeffect. Furthermore, preferred embodiments allow the user to generatethe visual effect by moving one portion of the kart relative to anotherportion. Furthermore, preferred embodiments are configured so that theuser does not need to remove his or her hands or feet from their normalriding positions in order to produce the visual effect. Preferably, aninner portion of the kart moves relative to an outer portion of the kartand at least a portion of the inner portion can be seen through theouter portion as the inner portion moves relative to the outer portion.

A preferred embodiment is a ridable vehicle or kart. The kart includes abody having a rear portion with a seat portion and an outer coverportion. The rear portion supports at least one rear wheel. The kartbody also includes a front portion having a coupling portion rotatablycoupled to the rear portion. The front portion includes a handlebarassembly operably coupled to the front portion. The front portion alsosupports at least one front wheel and includes an inner surface. Theinner surface is positioned adjacent to the outer cover portion and theouter cover portion covers at least a portion of the inner surface. Theouter cover portion includes at least one window portion through which aportion of the inner surface is visible. Preferably, the inner surfaceincludes at least one visual feature visible through the at least onewindow portion, and the visual feature moves relative to the windowportion as the front portion rotates relative to the rear portion.

In some configurations, the front portion rotates relative to the rearportion about an axis, and the inner surface rotates relative to theouter portion about the axis.

In some configurations, the outer cover portion includes two windowportions and the inner surface includes two visual features, and the twovisual features resemble eyes. In some configurations, the two visualfeatures move relative to the window portions along a curved path as thefront portion rotates relative to the rear portion.

In some configurations, the handlebar assembly includes substantiallystraight portions configured to support the foot of a user riding thekart.

In some configurations, the outer cover portion is curved and the innersurface is similarly curved so that the inner surface can slide alongthe inside of the outer cover portion.

An embodiment involves a ridable vehicle with a body having a rearportion rotatably coupled to a front portion. The front portion includesa coupling portion and the rear portion includes a seat portion. Thevehicle includes at least one front wheel supported by the front portionand at least one rear wheel supported by the rear portion. It alsoincludes a handlebar assembly supported by the front portion andaccessible to a user riding the vehicle. The rear portion has an outershell portion having at least one opening and the front portion has aninner surface adjacent to the outer shell portion. The inner surfacemoves relative to the outer shell portion when the front portion isrotated relative to the rear portion. The outer shell portion includes acurved surface and the inner surface includes a curved surface so thatthe inner surface can slide along the inside of the outer shell portion.The inner surface has a visual feature that is visible through theopening in the outer shell portion and the visual feature moves relativeto the opening.

In some configurations, the front portion rotates relative to the rearportion about an axis, and the inner surface rotates relative to theouter portion about the axis. In some configurations, the outer shellportion includes two openings and the inner surface includes two visualfeatures, and the two visual features resemble eyes.

In some configurations, the two visual features move relative to the twoopenings along a curved path. In some configurations, the handlebarassembly includes substantially straight portions configured to supportthe foot of a user riding the kart.

In some configurations, the at least one front wheel is positionedunderneath the rear portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are described below with reference to drawings of a preferredembodiment, which is intended to illustrate, but not to limit, thepresent invention. The drawings contain six figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a kart having certainfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the kart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a kart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the window portions and visualfeatures of the kart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the window portions and visual features of FIG. 4 ina different position.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the window portions and visualfeatures of FIG. 4 in another different position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, terms of orientation such as“top”, “bottom”, “upward”, “downward”, “lower”, “front”, “frontward”,“rear”, “rearward”, and “end” are used to simplify the description ofthe context of the illustrated embodiments. Likewise, terms of sequence,such as “first” and “second”, are used to simplify the description ofthe illustrated embodiments. However, other orientation and sequencesare possible, and the present invention should not be limited to theillustrated orientation(s). Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat other orientations of the various components are possible.

For the purposes of this disclosure, embodiments of personal mobilityvehicles will be referred to as “karts”, but it will be understood bythose with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention extendsbeyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and references to karts toother alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention andmodifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the presentvehicles and related methods have been described in the context ofparticularly preferred embodiments as it relates to karts, the skilledartisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certainadvantages, features and aspects of the systems and methods may berealized in a variety of other applications, including personal mobilityvehicles other than karts with different arrangements of front and rearwheels.

In a preferred embodiment, a kart includes a body having a rear portionand a front portion. Preferably, the front portion is rotatably coupledto the rear portion and is movable relative to the rear portion. Therear portion of the body includes a seat portion and an outer shell orcover portion. Preferably, the front portion includes a coupling portioncoupled to the rear portion and an inner surface adjacent the outershell or cover portion of the rear portion. In some embodiments, theinner surface moves relative to the outer shell, and the outer shellincludes an opening or window through which a portion of the innersurface is visible. Preferably, the inner surface includes some type ofvisual marking or effect that moves relative to the outer shell and isvisible through the opening or window in the outer shell. In someembodiments, the openings or windows on the outer shell are shaped likeeyes and the inner surface includes markings that look like eye ballsand move relative to the windows to give the effect of eyes moving tolook in different directions. Embodiments of the kart are describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6. In the illustratedarrangements, the kart includes a front portion with an inner surfaceand a rear portion having an outer shell or cover portion, however,arrangements in which the illustrated arrangement is reversed or inwhich the kart has other portions or surface that move relative to oneanother are also possible.

FIG. 1 illustrates a kart having certain features, aspects andadvantages of the present invention. The kart includes a body 10, whichincludes a first or rear portion 20 and a second or front portion 30.Preferably the front portion 30 is rotatably coupled to the rear portion20. The rear portion 20 includes a seat portion 22 configured to allow arider to be seated thereon. The rear portion 20 also supports at leastone rear wheel 24. In a preferred embodiment, the rear portion 20supports two rear wheels 24 and in other embodiments the rear portion 20can support more than two rear wheels. The rear wheels 24 are coupled tothe bottom of the rear portion 20. In some embodiments, the rear wheels24 are swivel or caster wheels configured to rotate relative to the rearportion 20 about a swivel axis. Preferably, the rear wheels 24 arelocated below and toward a rearward end of or behind the seat portion22. In some embodiments, the rear portion 20 curves upward or extendsupward at the rear end of the rear portion behind the seat portion 22.Preferably, the rear portion 20 also includes an outer shell or coverportion 26. In some embodiments, the outer shell or cover portion 26 islocated in front of and adjacent to the seat portion 22 and can resemblea head of an animal, insect or character, for example.

As illustrated, the outer cover portion 26 preferably includes one ormore openings or window portions 28. In some embodiments, the one ormore openings or window portions 28 are configured to allow a person tosee through the outer cover 26. In one embodiment, the window portions28 comprise a translucent or transparent material. In anotherembodiment, the window portions 28 comprise cut-out portions in theouter cover portion 26. Preferably, the window portions 28 are circularand are located near the front of the outer shell or cover 26. The outershell 26 can also include visual features on the surface of outer shell26 or extending therefrom. For example, the outer shell 26 can includeprotruding features such as protrusions resembling antennae 27 orfeatures painted or printed on the surface such as features resembling amouth 29 or ears. In some embodiments, the outer shell 26 is configuredwith visual features that resemble an animal, insect or cartooncharacter.

As illustrated, the front portion 30 includes a coupling portion 38 thatis configured to be coupled to the rear portion 20. The front portion 30also supports at least one front wheel 34. In a preferred embodiment,the front portion 30 supports two front wheels 34 and in other preferredembodiments, the front portion 30 supports only one front wheel or morethan two front wheels 34. Preferably, the front portion 30 also supportsa handlebar assembly 32 configured to allow a user to move and/or steerthe kart. The handlebar assembly 32 preferably extends from the front ofthe kart backwards toward the rear portion 20 so that a user can accessthe handlebar assembly 32 with his or her hands. The handlebar assembly32 also preferably includes grips 36 accessible to the hands of a user.Preferably, the front portion 30 in configured to extend away from therear portion 40 in the forward direction and the handlebar assembly 32is supported by the front portion 30 at a location forward from the rearportion 20 so that a user riding the kart can rest his feet on a portionof the handlebar assembly 32 in front of the rear portion 20. In someembodiments, the handlebar assembly 32 includes a substantially straightportion or portions 45 located near the front of the kart and configuredto support a user's foot as the user rides the kart. Preferably, thehandlebar assembly 32 also includes two end portions 42 that extendbackward toward the rear portion 20 of the kart. Preferably, the endportions 42 also curve or extend upward and include the grips 36 thatare accessible to a user riding the kart.

In some preferred embodiments, the front portion 30 is rotatably coupledto the rear portion 20 and rotates relative to the rear portion 20 aboutan axis. Preferably the axis is generally or substantially verticaland/or normal to the riding surface. Preferably, the front wheels 34 arepositioned behind the axis and under the rear portion 20. Preferably,the entire front portion 30, including the handlebar assembly 32 and thefront wheels 34, rotate about the axis relative to the rear portion 20.Each of the front wheels 34 can also rotate about its own wheel axis.Because the rotational axis and/or contact patch of the front wheels 34is spaced behind the steering axis, oscillating movement or repeatedback-and-forth rotation of the front portion 30 also creates a motiveforce for the kart. In some embodiments, the front wheels 34 can beswivel or caster wheels that are configured to rotate about a swivelaxis relative to the front portion.

As illustrated, the front portion 30 also includes an inner member orinner surface portion 39. Preferably, the inner surface portion 39 movesrelative to the outer shell or cover 26 of the rear portion 20 as thefront portion 30 rotates relative to the rear portion 20. The innersurface 39 is at least partially nested within or covered by the outercover portion 26 and the inner surface 39 preferably has the same,similar or compatible shape as part of the outer cover portion 26. Insome embodiments, the inner surface 39 is curved or spherically shaped(e.g., hemi-spherical) and the outer cover portion 26 is also curved orspherically shaped (e.g., hemi-spherical) so that the two surfaces canbe positioned adjacent to one another and move relative to one another.In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface 39 and the outer coverportion 26 have the same curvature and the inner surface 39 isconfigured to slide along the inside of the outer cover portion 26.Preferably, the inner surface 39 is coupled to the coupling portion 38and extends upward from the coupling portion 38 and front portion 30.

Preferably, a portion of the inner surface 39 is visible through thewindow portion or opening 28 on the outer cover portion 26. In someembodiments, the window portion 28 comprises a translucent ortransparent material that makes the underlying inner surface portion 39visible. In other preferred embodiments, the window portion 28 is a voidor opening in the outer cover portion 26 through which portions of theinner surface 39 are visible. Preferably, the inner surface 39 includesone or more visual features 40 that are visible through the windowportion 28. As the inner surface 39 moves relative to the outer coverportion 26, the visual feature 40 moves relative to the window portion28 which can provide a desired visual effect. For example, in apreferred embodiment, the inner surface 39 includes two visual features40 that resemble eyes or the iris and pupil portions of an eye. Theouter cover portion 26 includes two window portions 28, and one of thevisual features 40 is visible through each of the window portions 28.The visual features 40 that resemble eyes can move side to side relativeto the window portions 28 as the inner surface 39 moves relative to theouter cover portion 26. This results in a visual effect resembling eyesmoving side to side as the handlebar assembly 32 rotates from side toside. This embodiment also results in the desired effect that the eyesor visual features 40 follow the direction of the handlebar assembly 32and front portion 30 as a user steers the kart. Preferably, the visualfeatures 40 move to point in the direction that the kart is moving orbeing steered. In alternative arrangements, a portion of or componentconnected to and movable with the inner surface portion 39 can extend tothe outside of the cover 26, such as through openings (e.g., windowportions 28) or from underneath of the cover 26, such that the exposedportion or component is visible and creates a desired visual effect uponsteering or other movement of the kart. In other arrangements, thevisual feature can be color(s) or symbols (e.g., words) that can moverelative to another portion of the kart (e.g., the cover 26) and can beexposed or hidden as a result of steering or other movement of the kart,for example. Thus, for example, the exposed color could move or couldchange as a result of steering or other movement of the kart. Or, anexposed word(s) or other symbols could changes as a result of steering,such as the words “left” or “right” depending on the steering direction,which could be visible to a user of the kart, if desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments the visual features 40 aresubstantially centered within the window portions 28 when the frontportion 30 and handlebar assembly 32 are in a position pointing straightforward relative to the rear portion 20. Preferably the visual features40 resemble eye portions and are centered within the window portions 28when the front portion 30 is in a centered position relative to the rearportion 20 and not rotated to one side or the other.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments the visual features 40move to the right side of the window portions 28 when the handlebarassembly 32 is rotated to the right relative to the rear portion and theinner surface 39 rotates to the right. Preferably, this provides thevisual effect of the visual features 40, which resemble eyes, moving tothe right as the handlebar assembly 32 is steered to the right.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some embodiments the visual features 40move to the left side of the window portions 28 when the handlebarassembly 32 is rotated to the left relative to the rear portion and theinner surface 39 rotates to the left. Preferably, this provides thevisual effect of the visual features 40, which resemble eyes, moving tothe left as the handlebar assembly 32 is steered to the left. In otherembodiments, the visual features 40 can move in an opposite directionrelative to the direction of movement of the handlebar assembly 32 orfront portion 30. In some embodiments, the movement of the visualfeatures 40 relative to the window portions 28 can include a verticalcomponent.

Although the embodiments of the invention presented herein have beendisclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples,it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventionextends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to otheralternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obviousmodifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that thescope of the invention herein disclosed should not be limited by theparticular embodiments described above, but should be determined only bya fair reading of the claims that follow.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A ridable kart configured to roll over a ridingsurface, the kart comprising: a body comprising: a rear portioncomprising a first shell and a rear wheel; and a front portioncomprising a second shell, a front wheel, and a forward extension arm,the front portion being moveably connected to the rear portion, a regionof the second shell of the front portion being visible through the firstshell of the rear portion; and a steering assembly connected to theforward extension arm of the front portion of the body at a positionforward of the rear portion, the steering assembly comprising: a footsupport configured to support a foot of a user riding the kart; and ahand support extending from the foot support, wherein the hand supportcomprises an end portion with a hand grip that is positioned higher thanthe foot support relative to the riding surface; wherein the steeringassembly is configured for a user's hand to grasp the hand grip of thehand support to steer the cart while maintaining the user's foot on thefoot support.
 14. The ridable kart of claim 13, wherein the first shellis an outer shell and the second shell is an inner shell.
 15. Theridable kart of claim 13, wherein the foot support is substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of travel of the kart;
 16. The ridablekart of claim 13, wherein rotation of the steering assembly from side toside relative to at least a portion of the body causes the kart to movein a forward direction.
 17. The ridable kart of claim 13, whereinrotation of the steering assembly from side to side relative to at leasta portion of the body provides a visual effect of the visible region ofthe second shell of the front portion.
 18. The ridable kart of claim 13,wherein the steering assembly smoothly transitions between the forwardextension arm and the hand support.
 19. The ridable kart of claim 13,wherein the hand support is connected to the forward extension arm by anintermediate portion that extends upwardly at an angle between theforward extension arm and the hand support.
 20. The ridable kart ofclaim 13, wherein the rear wheel is a caster wheel.
 21. The ridable kartof claim 13, wherein the front wheel has an axis of rotation and a rearend of the end portion of the hand support is approximately aligned withthe axis of rotation of the front wheel.
 22. The ridable kart of claim13, wherein the hand support extends laterally away from the frontportion.
 23. The ridable kart of claim 13, wherein at least a portion ofthe rear portion defines a seat configured to support the user.
 24. Thekart of claim 13, wherein the first shell comprises a plurality ofopenings and the visible region of the second shell comprises aplurality of visual features, each of the visual features beingconfigured to align with one of the openings.
 25. A ridable vehiclecomprising: a rear body comprising: an outer shell; a first lateralside; and a second lateral side; and a front body rotatably connectedwith the rear body about a steering axis, the front body extending froma rear portion positioned below the rear body to a front portionpositioned forward of the rear body, the front body comprising: ahandlebar supported by the front body, the handlebar including: footsupports configured to support the feet of the rider to steer theridable vehicle; and hand supports configured to be grasped by therider's hand to steer the ridable vehicle, wherein the handlebar extendsfrom the front side of the front body rearwardly and further extendsoutwardly beyond the first and second lateral sides of the rear body;and a front wheel positioned behind the steering axis configured toallow the vehicle to move in a forward direction when one or more of thefoot supports or the hand supports is rotated from side-to-side aboutthe steering axis relative to the rear body.
 26. The ridable vehicle ofclaim 25, wherein the handlebar further comprises an end portionextending rearwardly towards the rear body.
 27. The ridable vehicle ofclaim 26, wherein the end portion curves outwardly away from the firstand second lateral sides of the rear body.
 28. The ridable vehicle ofclaim 25, wherein the handlebar further comprises a grip positioned onthe end portion.
 29. The ridable vehicle of claim 25, wherein the frontwheel is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation. 30.The ridable vehicle of claim 29, wherein the handlebar extendsrearwardly behind the steering axis but forward of the axis of rotationof the front wheel.
 31. The ridable vehicle of claim 25, wherein thefront wheel is supported by the front body and is positioned below therear body.
 32. The ridable vehicle of claim 25, wherein the front bodyhas an inner shell that it least partially received in the outer shellof the rear body.